We have had a wonderful experience with Rising Stars. Low teacher turnover, very caring staff and a…read morewonderful group of kids. My daughter was beyond prepared for kindergarten! My son has found a wonderful group of friends and we have built community with other parents. We consider the staff to be like family and partners in raising our children.

I am so glad we enrolled our son here. The experience we had with Rising Stars was exceptional. The…read moreteachers are so caring a sweet. My son was happy to go to school every morning and we were sad to leave. They send out a detailed schedule for the week with planned activities and learning objectives. They host holiday themed events in class and have small class sizes.

My daughter has been at ACA for over two years and will be graduating and heading to Kindergarten…read morethis fall. We are sad to be leaving the school but so thankful for the teachers, staff and administration for giving her and us a wonderful experience while she's been enrolled there. Her growth while attending ACA has been remarkable, with her language (Spanish and English bilingual class), math, reading, and independent life skills being way above average. We give so much credit to the amazing teachers she has worked with in both pre-K classes she has been in...truly wonderful people who are not just educators but curators of the kids' minds and social/emotional wellbeing. If you are looking for a welcoming and loving Montessori environment to enrich your child's early education, I could not recommend ACA more!

Our daughter has been enrolled at ACA for about six months now and here is our experience. We moved…read moreto Texas from California and first enrolled her in another montessori school. We noticed after a few months that the teachers there were stretched thin and would ask us to teach her to sit still during circle time at home. We felt that wasn't in line with what we read Montessori is about (individualized care) so we began looking for another school. When we found ACA, i read through their About Us and noticed they deliberately overstaff in order to prevent teacher burnout, keep teachers happy and energized, which will in turn trickle down to how the children are cared for. I thought this was super wise and loving so we decided to go in for a tour. We met Estella, one of the owners of the school, and she shared their philosophy and showed us the grounds. I immediately felt her energy was starkly different from the energy of our prior school. I also asked if the teachers are actually montessori certified, which i found wasn't true for our previous school. she was happy to confirm they are indeed Montessori certified and go through rigorous and regular trainings to maintain/obtain/enrich their certifications. (note to parents out there, most montessori schools in austin are "montessori inspired", not montessori certified. basically BS. we've had a chance to meet and develop a relationship with owners Sam and Estella, Ms. Hong, Ms. Sara, Mrs. Gupta, and other teachers and staff of the school. And With every single one of them, there is genuine love, honesty, and long-term thinking. This is school is love and people first, profit second. they are reasonably priced as well. and if you're looking for a daycare for your child where your child will be safe, loved, and enriched, I cannot recommend this school enough. Not just because the other schools around Austin suck (which is generally true), but mainly because the folks at ACA actually care and come from love.

My son started his preschool classes in 2022 and I was so hesitant to put him into school. After…read moretouring the establishment, meeting Steffani, seeing how wonderful the school is I fell in love. I knew my son was in good hands. My son wasn't speaking too much before starting school but after his first year he was speaking full and complete sentences and writing. The teachers there are amazing! They all either had their own kids go through FFP or have taught there for 10+ years. Everyone just seems to be one big family there. My son is now onto kindergarten and my daughter will start her first year there come August. I have nothing but nice things to say about FFP and the wonderful people there.

First Foundations served as our family's first experience with preschool, and for that we are so…read moreextremely thankful. Our shy little daughter just blossomed at this school, to the extent that our friends and extended family remarked on the change in her confidence and demeanor. I'm admittedly a pretty anxious mama bear and I am still, a year later, so shocked at how seamless the adjustment to going to preschool felt for both my daughter and for myself. There were no tears from my little one when I dropped her off, but on more than one occasion she was adamant that she didn't want to leave the school when I picked her up. I could write paragraph upon paragraph, but I'll try to keep it short and sweet because I know firsthand how much energy it takes to search for that perfect fit. Here are some of the aspects that stood out to me! - The whole entire staff here is so wonderful. The director, Mrs. Wilkins, truly pours her heart into her school. She knows and loves each child and greets them by name. She also personally ran my daughter's lunch box/jacket/show and tell item down to her classroom on the more than one occasion that I completely forgot those items in a sleep deprived haze. Our daughter's teachers, Mrs. Gamoneda and Mrs. Pallota, were so kind and loving. Our kiddo can be stubborn, and she started the school year insisting that she didn't want finger paint on her hands. Mrs. G and Mrs. P worked with her, encouraging but never pushing (they even asked my husband and myself if there was any sort of alternative glue or paint she might find more tolerable), and our daughter was beaming with pride when she presented us with a finger painted keepsake a few weeks later. I said I'd keep this short, so bullet points for the rest. - All of the teachers are very qualified. - The school is clean and the teachers had the children wash their hands several times every day even in a pre-coronavirus world. - There are all sorts of fun theme days, class parties and a Christmas program. - This was my daughter's takeaway from our initial tour - two playgrounds! Here is my takeaway - two safe, age appropriate playgrounds that are fenced in. - In addition to the classroom, the children attend Chapel, Spanish and music class (we had the opportunity to observe a bit of the music class on our tour, and the kids were having so much fun). - A perfect combination of play based learning and learning skills that will be needed in kindergarten (our 4 y/o is now able to write her name but she had a lot of fun at school too) - The teachers incorporate super cool activities (a volcano, a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly, a classroom full of tents, reading Biblical stories via blacklight) into their daily lesson plans. - The school is safety minded. This was huge for me. - If you have a baby on your hip, everyone will help you. :) There is a wonderful drop off program, actually, in which teachers are in charge of getting kids from your car. It's very safe and coordinated well. - The school has a bridge program and a kindergarten program. This is actually how I learned about First Foundations. It's seriously the best school, and the only thing I would ever change about it is that I wish our kids could attend for a couple more years.

I toured a couple other preschools before settling here. One seemingly couldn't make the time to…read moremeet with us, even though it had been scheduled a week in advance. We left after waiting in the front for over twenty minutes (a.k.a. an eternity in toddler time). Another was extremely well reviewed and was also highly recommended by a coworker who had sent all their kids there. I was predisposed towards that preschool from the beginning, enjoyed the tour, and was even OK with there being a waitlist and maybe needing to wait until the next semester. The real problem though was that they indicated my son absolutely had to be walking before he could be enrolled, and he has taken his time in developing motor skills. It turned out that I would have been waiting another year to year and a half to enroll him. Fortunately though I found Nicholson who indicated right off the bat that they would never turn away a child who had not yet hit a specific milestone like that, "because every child develops differently". Since then, we haven't looked back! My son has been going here three days a week since he was 19 months old, and absolutely loves it. They e-mail photos to us regularly (sometimes more than I can even keep up with!), and you can see the love and care they lavish on all the kiddos. Dr. Nicholson has deep knowledge of early childhood education, and puts that into practice here with everything they do. And they're still small enough that even teachers of other (older) classes almost always greet my son by name. The optional "nap & snack" add-on from 12:30pm to 3pm has also been a great help, with my work schedule. Highly recommended!

We have loved our time at Nicholson. The teachers do a wonderful job connecting with students and…read morefamilies, and always communicating directly with us. The positive, nurturing environment combined with the play-based curriculum has allowed my grandson to learn and grow in a way that is fun and engaging, and he is always excited to go to school. The flexible schedule is also convenient for our family. We recommend Nicholson to any family looking for a more personal preschool experience, with a highly trained staff, and engaging curriculum.

My son started attending Goddard Preschool in Cedar Park at the end of September 2025 in the…read moreprivate kindergarten class with Ms. Celeste. I tried to overlook several red flags early on, but ultimately could not continue due to how my child was treated. The first concern arose within the first two weeks. When I simply asked how my son's day went and whether she needed help with his transition, Ms. Celeste responded rudely and said she didn't have time to answer questions because she needed to return to class--despite it being after 3 p.m. when the class was already transitioning to after-school care and the children were playing independently. As a parent trying to support both my child and the teacher, this interaction was surprising and discouraging. The second major issue was deeply concerning. During a class birthday celebration, my son was not allowed to have a cupcake because he did not eat his lunch. Ms. Celeste was fully aware that my son is in occupational therapy for an eating disorder. Denying food as a consequence is not a teacher's place, and it was damaging to his progress and self-esteem. We even had a parent-teacher conference where I paid for his occupational therapist to attend specifically to help Ms. Celeste understand his needs and how to better support him. The third issue was constant discipline for minor, age-appropriate behavior. My son is five years old, energetic, and developmentally typical. Ms. Celeste is extremely strict, shows clear favoritism, and seems to lack patience for children who are not "perfect." If your child doesn't fit her narrow expectations, they are repeatedly punished for small things rather than guided or supported. The final and most upsetting issue was when my son told me he was being made to sit alone throughout the day, including at lunch. I emailed the school explaining that isolating a child--especially one in food therapy--is inappropriate and should never be used as punishment. While the director assured me they would monitor the situation, nothing improved. A few days later, Ms. Celeste confronted me aggressively in front of my son and other students. She accused me of blaming her for being a bad teacher and labeled my child as having a "behavioral problem" in front of him and the class. This was completely unacceptable and unprofessional. She attempted to twist my words and escalated the situation instead of addressing concerns appropriately. The next day was my son's last day. While Ms. Celeste may be effective at teaching academic kindergarten material, that does not excuse her attitude, lack of compassion, or inappropriate handling of children she deems "problematic." Young children are not robots. They deserve patience, understanding, and emotional safety. For context: my son has never been labeled a behavioral problem by any other teacher or school. He is loved by educators, and his previous school welcomed him back immediately with open arms and excitement. If you are considering Goddard's private kindergarten--specifically with Ms. Celeste--be cautious. If your child is not perfectly compliant at all times, this may not be the right environment. There are far better schools that will prepare your child for kindergarten without sacrificing kindness and respect.

Both my kids have been raised at this school for almost 4 years now. The teachers are amazingly…read morenurturing, with clear boundaries, and the office staff truly cares and are passionate about their careers here. I think it's the perfect balance between learning through play and academics. I wish I sent my kindergartener there instead of rushing her to a public school where there's less support. Highly recommend Goddard Cedar Park!

They take really good care of children and respect everyones needs, while caring for all the…read morechildren and making sure they are all taken care of.

When you have a baby for the first time, it's all fun and games until your maternity leave ends and…read moreyou have to come to terms with joining back the real world of work life. While my mat leave was NOT a vacation, neither is taking care of my little one, and doing the research to figure out if daycare, nanny or aupair fits the bill for your family is such a personal decision, not everything is one size fits all. Our research started when I was 6 months pregnant and I started touring several daycares in the area along with Montessori schools to just get an idea what the heck we were dealing with, securities instilled, and how daycare works. We went to tour 3 places, all of which I had first hand feedback from existing coworkers from all places. Primrose's director Ms. Artus shared we should even look up all the daycares on the Texas state site to check for infractions of which we found none. :) yay. Plus a short drive from our home makes it an easy pick up and drop off. First thing is, while costs are high, this is not something we were afraid of when we factored in the many amenities and learnings we expected from a daycare, the professionals that know how to take care of our LO better than we can with some tips and tricks, and also wanting something more than a daycare where your kiddo just goes through the motions day by day. It's only been 3 weeks, and I'm still on my maternity leave but as I re-enter the workforce next week, and leave my babe for realsies, I trust he's in the best of hands, I've dropped him off and popped in on occasion, and I've always seen him shown with love. So many other perks include, him socializing with other babies. They change him very frequently and can even examine his bowel movements and ask if he has breast milk since we do nurse our little one at home but give daycare formula since my pumping milk doesn't produce enough. I love how attentive and observant they are without us knowing what to share. He has his own crib, collage of people who love him and play area and I love how I get to see all the little ones grow and learn along side our babe. We are the first in our friends to have a baby so it's hard to get kiddos for him to engage with even as a newborn or even know how to do it all. Don't fret, the primrose staff is super helpful and SO good at what they do. I commend Ms. Mary of the young infants class and all the staff assistants that help. I love seeing our little one grow and learn so many things that I would struggle to even think of except for survive, go on stroller walks and naps. They've instilled structure, helped me understand as a first time parent what to look for, extra outfits, diaper cream, and all the things I never knew for taking care of my baby. It honestly feels like my own little village of caretakers that watch out for my LO, and this genuinely can really show how much that means to me. They've got so many happy kiddos that fill the halls and the community really seems great from our short time here, the calendar is filled with activities and field trips the different age groups take so you know what fun they're in for. Parents night out is a thing too, whoo hoo! Love it so far, and we hope our son thrives and grows well here for ages to come. I look forward to updating as he moves into the next classrooms so I can share our growth and experience but we love it here.

My first experience with Montessori was 10 years ago, with my son, at a Montessori school in a…read moredifferent state. I was quite disappointed with what was touted as Montessori and the results I saw with my son. The freedom that comes with the Montessori method didn't suit him, as he would take advantage of it by reading books all day instead of participating in lessons. At the time, my priority was simply having someone take care of him since both parents worked. As long as he was safe, that was enough. I didn't think much more about it until it was time to put my daughter into daycare, as our parental leave was coming to an end. From the options available, enrolling her in a "private school" seemed like the best choice, hoping she would learn something and not just play all day. I first placed her at the Brushy Creek campus, because they have classrooms for babies. The price seemed steep for just feeding and changing diapers, but again, I figured you pay for quality. Well... I was surprised by how quickly she was developing. She started walking at 10 months old, communicated her needs through sounds and sign language, and got along well with other kids. The benefits of socializing her early were obvious. I started thinking there might be more to Montessori than I originally thought. It wasn't until we transferred her to the Cypress Creek campus, closer to home, that I truly realized how wrong I had been about Montessori. At Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek, I saw just how incredible the Montessori method can be when done right. The school has provided an exceptional learning environment for my daughter, with a strong focus on individualized education and fostering independence. The Montessori philosophy is clearly evident in every aspect of the school's approach, from the thoughtfully prepared classrooms to the well-structured activities that promote creativity, critical thinking, and self-discipline. Her teachers, Mrs. Ebelia and her assistant Alex, have been amazing. They are both professional, caring, and highly qualified, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere for the students. I have seen remarkable growth in my child's confidence and ability to tackle challenges on her own, and I attribute a lot of that progress to the nurturing environment they've created. One of the standout aspects of the school is the abundance of activities they offer to bring the community together. Whether it's events for families, parent workshops, or school celebrations, Guidepost Montessori does an incredible job of fostering a strong sense of connection and engagement between parents, teachers, and students. Additionally, the diversity of my daughter's classmates is remarkable. She is surrounded by children from various backgrounds, which enriches her learning experience and broadens her understanding of the world around her. The communication between the school and parents is outstanding--I'm always kept informed about my child's progress and any updates regarding the school. The leadership at Guidepost Montessori is also worth noting. They are approachable, proactive, and genuinely care about the development and well-being of the students. It's clear that they are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in education. Overall, I couldn't be happier with our choice to enroll at Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek. It has truly been a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend it to any parents looking for a nurturing, innovative, and effective learning environment for their child.

I need to begin this review by clarifying a misunderstanding I had when enrolling my kid at this…read moreschool. It is NOT named after a dinosaur. In fact, there are no dinosaurs named Montessori, Montessorous, Montessori Rex, Montessoridon, or even Montessoridactyl. I think Montessori is Italian, actually. Next obvious question: Were all dinosaurs Italian? This is hotly debated amongst anthropologists even today. My theory is that yes, and that what actually killed the dinosaurs was not a meteor from space, but rather a meteor-sized meatball. All evidence is forthcoming once I can find a scientific journal that will publish my thesis. Anyway, back to the review of the school. Hold on to your butts... My kid has been attending Guidepost at Cypress Creek for about a year and a half. He started in the toddler classroom and is now in Children's House. (They call it a house, but it's actually a classroom. I don't know why. When you reach out to admissions, you can use that as an icebreaker. You're welcome). My partner, my kid, and I have all been very pleased with both classrooms. Montessori schools treat their students as fully capable people with their own agency. This sounds like a recipe for disaster, but somehow they make it work. When you watch a classroom in full swing, it's like a well-oiled machine. The students are working either independently or cooperatively. They are cleaning up after themselves, being respectful towards others, and are highly attentive towards their classwork. They are very clever girls and boys. This is a testament to the excellent guides (their term for teachers, there's your second icebreaker). It sounds impossible but, uh, the guides find a way. The administration is also wonderful. They are pro-active with their communications, and we always feel in the loop. Almost every day there are optional extra-curricular activity options on the school grounds, which is super convenient. Things like art, gym, and soccer. The school is a great size. It's small enough that it feels like a real community. I think all of the guides know our kids' name, even if they aren't in his class, and they know both my partner and me. There are frequent classroom-wide and school-wide events, both in person and remote. There's an outdoor playground, of course, and a garden area that gets frequent use. All of the children participate in maintaining it, which is cool. Tuition is reasonable, even though it seems like they've spared no expense, so that's nice. Well, readers, after careful consideration, I've decided to endorse Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek. We like it enough that we will be enrolling our second kid when he's old enough. The question wasn't so much whether we could but whether we should, and even that was silly because the answer was obviously yes. The lack of actual dinosaurs is disappointing, of course, but I'm not going to deduct stars for that. I haven't found any school that has them, so it wouldn't be fair.

We attended Bluebonnet School from when my son was 13 weeks through Pre-k. He's now on kindergarten…read moreand does their after school program. From Ms Erika to Ms Rachel the teachers have been fantastic. Ms Erika (Room 1) is so experienced with young babies that I knew my child was in good hands with her. As a first time mom she taught me many things. And capping of the experience with Ms Rachel (room 18) was perfect. She will prepare your child for kindergarten, no doubt. She gives the kids so much structure and really prepares them with reading skills. There have been some issues with teacher and staff turnover during our time but this is the unfortunate nature of the industry especially with how challenging the last few years have been (pandemic). The assistant teachers seemed to change frequently and it was hard to keep track of who would be in his room. In the past there have occasionally been communication issues but I feel that the current director has worked a lot of that out. Any issues we had, the teachers and staff have always been eager to solve. My son has enjoyed the amenities at the school like the splash pad, nice outdoor play area, Spanish and music classes and the other vendors that come in offering classes like Gymstation for sports and gymnastics and Waterloo for swimming lessons.

Teachers are nice, but administration seems to care more about running a business than actually…read moresupporting children/families.

My daughter loves going to school here. She started the year with extreme separation anxiety and…read morequickly adjusted into the High Hopes environment! I feel confident and safe leaving her knowing she will be loved, enriched, and well-taken care of by all of the staff and teachers. They grow to know the students very well and their love of what they do shines through each school day and beyond! We love this school and are happy to call Highpoint Fellowship our church home as well. It amazes me what she's learning there sometimes! Can't say enough good things about this program!

We have never used the preschool or afterschool but both of my kids have played sports there - both…read morewhen it was Dr John's and as High Hopes. Both times have dealt with friendly people who are about the kids having fun, not really competitive. Its been a good place for my kids to try out new sports - with good instruction and a safe place to learn. We've tried tball, basketball and volleyball.

The school works with programs that offer classes ranging from soccer to yoga. It gives the kids a…read morechance to try out the classes and see if they like anything in particular. My kids have both started to ask about joining certain classes and it's all conveniently done during the day at Creme so I don't have to drive them all over town.

We just love our teacher Ms.Katie! It's been only a month of Kindergarten's program we've been…read moreenrolled but I can already see that the support from Ms.Katie has really boosted my kid's confidence beyond academic achievement. Ms. Katie always takes the time to make sure that kids understand everything what's going on in the class and takes into account the characteristics of each child. Also I want to express my gratitude for not only educating my child but caring for positive atmosphere in the classroom. Our daughter loves to come to Kindergarten every day and Ms. Katie already in her top list of fav people :)